UN Secretary-General and World Bank President Name Sustainable Energy for All Advisory Board members

Heads of UN and World Bank name team to mobilize action toward universal energy access, doubling of renewables and doubling of energy efficiency rates

New York and Washington, April 19, 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today announced the members of the Advisory Board for the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, kicking off a major new phase of activity for this global public-private partnership.

The Advisory Board of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative includes distinguished global leaders in business, finance, governments, and civil society. The launch of the Board, co-chaired by the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank, marks the first time the two leaders have jointly led such an effort, underscoring the emphasis each institution places on providing sustainable energy for all.

“Sustainable energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and a stable climate and healthy environment. The Advisory Board has the top-flight expertise and experience needed to help us reach our goal of providing sustainable energy for all by 2030,” said the Secretary-General. “This initiative represents a new era of partnership with the World Bank. Working together, I am confident we can help to transform the world’s energy systems.”

“More than 1.2 billion people don’t have access to electricity, and another 2.8 billion use solid fuels to cook and heat their homes. This is deadly – it exposes them to toxic smoke that kills about four million people a year,” said Jim Yong Kim. “Delivering universal access to electricity and safe household fuels is a fundamental condition to end poverty. We have to meet this challenge in a sustainable way that also takes into consideration the battle against climate change.”

The Sustainable Energy for All initiative is a multi-stakeholder partnership between governments, the private sector, and civil society. Launched by the Secretary-General in 2011, it has three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030: provide universal access to modern energy; double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix; and double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

Advisory Board members will provide strategic guidance and serve as global ambassadors for the initiative, conducting high-level advocacy for action on energy and mobilizing stakeholders on behalf of Sustainable Energy for All. Additional Advisory Board members will be announced after further consultations with stakeholders.

The Secretary-General today also named the members of the initiative’s 10-person Executive Committee, which is headed by Chad Holliday, Chairman of Bank of America. In September 2012, the Secretary-General designated Mr. Kandeh Yumkella as his Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and chief executive of the effort.

The Sustainable Energy for All initiative brings together top-level leadership from all sectors of society, drawing on the global convening power of the United Nations and the World Bank and combining the efforts of hundreds of stakeholders from around the world.

The initiative has demonstrated the ability to mobilize multi-billion dollar commitments, leverage large-scale investments, and build upon and a rapidly expanding knowledge network. More than 70 countries have opted-in to the initiative since its launch, with support coming from every part of the world – including African energy ministers, members of the Clean Energy Ministerial, the European Commission, and the Small Island Developing States. The initiative is also mobilizing businesses, investors, and civil society to take action on "high impact initiatives" such as off-grid lighting, building energy efficiency, energy and women's health, and the procurement of renewable energy.